Research & reports
Peer-reviewed research and reports on community urban agriculture, food education, composting, welfare and more.
Theme
Critical findings
9077 results(39 / 364)
Effect of urban agriculture on the quality of urban life: A review
2025Babatunde S. Adedotun, Martin Binde Gasu, Ismail A. Oyerinde, Dele Sunday Ogundahunsi, Oluwatoyin David ADEDOTUN · The Journal of Agriculture and Development · Global
This research conducted an extensive literature review on the correlation between urban agriculture and the quality of life of urban residents, synthesizing 20 peer-reviewed scholarly papers published between 2010 and 2022 from databases like Scopus. Urban agriculture was shown to offer economic benefits, community engagement, health improvements, environmental benefits, and cultural connections, but also presented negative externalities such as resource exploitation, contamination, and ecosystem disruption.
EconomicsCommunityHealthClimate changeThe influence of payments and time payments: Preconditions to implement nature-based solutions in Austrian cities
2025Ulrike Pröbstl‐Haider, Magdalena Feilhammer, Alice Wanner · Cities · Austria
This paper analyzed opportunities and barriers for implementing nature-based solutions (NBS) in Austrian cities. A survey of 1055 urban residents investigated conditions under which NBS reduce particulate matter, NO2, and air temperature. Results highlighted the relevance of design types like green corridors and community gardens, and the importance of direct and time payments, indicating that a €45 payment with a 10-minute walking distance to home was acceptable if high environmental benefits were achieved.
CommunityPolicyEconomicsClimate changeRethinking Urban Planning in a Post-Pandemic World: Reverse Globalization, Resilient Cities, and the Case of New York City
2025Yingqi Zhu · Journal of Humanities and Social Sciences Studies · United States (New York City)
This study analyzes innovative urban planning responses in New York City following the COVID-19 pandemic, examining the intersection of reverse globalization and resilient city theory. It investigates how NYC's adaptive initiatives, such as the Open Streets program and upscaling urban agriculture, improved local autonomy, flexibility, and community resilience. The research assesses how decentralized, neighborhood-scale solutions and participatory governance systems can address urban vulnerabilities and promote long-term sustainability, offering planning lessons for other global cities.
PolicyCommunityUrban–rural linkageClimate changeThe Contribution of Urban Agriculture to the Sustainable Development of Cities
2025Katarina Đurić, Mirjana Lukač Bulatović, Mihaela Kavran, Rajna Duletić, Nikola Puvača · Journal of Agronomy Technology and Engineering Management (JATEM) · Global
This paper argues that urban agriculture can serve as a significant tool for achieving sustainable urban development during intensive urban growth. Applying methods of analysis, synthesis, and descriptive research, it systematizes the economic, environmental, and social benefits provided by urban agriculture, including community gardens. The paper also highlights the most significant challenges currently faced by urban agriculture.
CommunityEconomicsClimate changeProximity despite distance? A community-supported agriculture initiative across rural mountain and urban areas in Switzerland
2025Sarah Steinegger, Nora Katharina Faltmann · Journal of Political Ecology · Switzerland
This qualitative research examined the challenges consumers and farmers face in establishing proximity within a Community-Supported Agriculture (CSA) initiative in Switzerland that links rural mountain and urban areas. The study found that consumers and farmers are facing challenges in establishing proximity. Nevertheless, shared experiences of farming activities and social events, along with participants' willingness to improve CSA operations and strengthen ties for mutual understanding and joint efforts, contribute to the ongoing process of establishing proximity.
Governance failureCSA & TeikeiCommunityUrban–rural linkageDe la gestion des déchets à l’agriculture urbaine : circularités et tensions des filières de matières organiques à Nkayi (République du Congo)
2025Noémie Régeard · L’Espace Politique · Congo
This article explores the circularity of organic matter streams in Nkayi, an intermediate city in Congo, through interviews and observations. The qualitative inquiry reveals the coexistence of institutional household waste streams, supported by a development project, and informal organic matter streams, identified through intra- and peri-urban agricultural practices. These streams are subject to various socio-territorial, political, and economic tensions.
Governance failureOrganic cycleCompostPolicyEconomicsCommunityKrajobraz jadalny w prozie polskiej XXI wieku – próba typologii
2025Magdalena Roszczynialska · Przestrzenie Teorii · Poland
This article characterizes the edible landscape, a non-visual approach to landscape, by identifying landscapes where the cultural component is weakened in favor of the environmental one. The author develops a typology of edible landscapes in 21st-century Polish prose, including consumption landscapes, edible mnemotopos, terroir, and urban gardens, interpreting them as practices of "hacking the Anthropocene" and interventions for socio-environmental justice. The edible landscape is presented as a way of literary manifestation of nature and a means of survival in the face of ecological catastrophe.
CommunityBiodiversityUrban–rural linkageThe development of RBL-STEM learning materials to improve students' environmental literacy in solving urban farming problems using locating metric coloring and STGNN
2025Khusnul Hotimatus Agustina, Dafik Dafik, Arika Indah Kristiana · World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews · Global
This research and development study focused on creating RBL-STEM learning materials to improve students' environmental literacy in solving urban farming problems. The developed learning tools, including assignment designs, worksheets, and tests, met a 93.8% validity requirement. A trial with 35 students showed the RBL-STEM resources were effective (95.22%) and practical (95.82%), leading to increased environmental literacy levels based on pretest and posttest results. The study identified high, medium, and low proficiency levels and validated findings through statistical and image analysis, N-Vivo, and word cloud.
Food educationCommunityClimate changeCentre for Sustainable Agricultural Skill Development and Community Livelihood Advancement in West Bengal
2025A.K. Sen · International Journal for Research in Applied Science and Engineering Technology · India
Agriculture in West Bengal, India, faces challenges including decreasing farm sizes, lack of modern farming knowledge, rural migration, and low farmer income. This research explores the design and development of an Urban Agricultural Skill Development Centre (UASDC) to bridge the gap between traditional and modern farming practices. The project proposes a self-sustaining model integrating skill training, marketplace access, and architectural design to enhance farmer income, promote environmental sustainability, and strengthen rural-urban linkages.
Food educationEconomicsUrban–rural linkageCommunityCambio climático con análisis multifuncional: Infraestructura Verde como solución basada en la Naturaleza
2025Julián Briz Escribano, Isabel de Felipe Boente · Revista española de estudios agrosociales y pesqueros/Revista española de estudios agrosociales y pesqueros · Spain
This study addresses various climate change-related functions and climate issues, particularly in urban areas. A holistic analytical method for green infrastructure is proposed as a nature-based solution, based on its structure, behavior, and functioning. Dimensions emerging with climate change and Nature-Based Solutions (NBS), such as urban agriculture and agrifitness, are identified, and the situation in Spain is described.
Climate changeUrban–rural linkagePolicyBiodiversitySustainable Urban Agriculture New Frontier
2025Asifa Asifa, Muhammad Azizan · Urban Policy and Research · Global
Rapidly growing urbanization presents complex socio-economic and environmental challenges, necessitating a sustainability approach that encompasses social well-being (the brown agenda) and ecological protection.
Climate changeEconomicsCommunityOPTIMIZATION OF LIMITED HOME YARD SPACE AND UTILIZATIONOF HOUSEHOLD ORGANIC WASTE INTO ECOENZYME TO REDUCE CHEMICAL DEPENDENCY IN THE HOUSEHOLD ENVIRONMENT
2025Novi Mailidarni Novi, Othman Sulaiman, Juliawati, Ahmad Jauhari, Tasliati Djafar, Syarifuddin Syarifuddin · WISDOM Jurnal Pengabdian Kepada Masyarakat Wisdom · Global
This community service program addresses limited yard space and chemical dependency in urban households by empowering residents, particularly women and youth, to practice sustainable urban farming and convert organic waste into ecoenzyme. The program provides education and training on ecoenzyme production and its use as fertilizer, pesticide, and cleaning solution, aiming to reduce chemical usage, minimize waste, and foster environmental awareness.
DIYCompostOrganic cycleFood educationCommunityRural Education, Agroecology, and Environmental Know-How
2025Lucas Bricca · · Chile
This chapter details the environmental education articles of the 2022 constitutional text in relation to a community garden initiative in the Province of Los Andes, central Chile. It explores how the text's educational framework aimed to institutionalize local knowledge networks by supporting diverse learning environments, participatory education, and linking education to holistic social outcomes, examining their relevance for agroecology.
Food educationCommunityPolicyPenyuluhan dan Pelatihan Perbanyakan Tanaman bagi Warga Kompleks Barata, Karang Tengah, Tangerang, Banten
2025Dibyanti Danniswari, Qurrotu Aini Besila, Nur Intan Simangunsong, Melati Ferianita Fachrul, Bagas Argya Syhabuddin · Jurnal Abdi Masyarakat Indonesia · Indonesia (Tangerang)
This community service program in Tangerang, Indonesia, aimed to enhance plant propagation knowledge and skills for 41 residents, particularly the Kecubung Women Farmers Group, to support family food security on limited yard space. The program addressed participants' lack of knowledge in vegetative and generative propagation and suitable plant selection. Through interactive lectures, discussions, and field practice, participants' average scores increased by 28.7 points (from 40.9 to 69.6) in pre- and post-tests. The program successfully improved participants' knowledge and skills, leading to increased initiative in developing productive yards and strengthening the Women Farmers Group's role in urban farming.
DIYFood educationFood sovereignty & justiceInvestigación sobre especias culinarias aptas para producción sostenible y diversificada en huertos urbanos domésticos
2025Evelyn Lizeth Ilbay-Guaña · Impact Research Journal · Global
This qualitative documentary study analyzed suitable culinary spice species for sustainable and diversified cultivation in home urban gardens, assessing their impact on food autonomy and self-care for informal primary caregivers in urban contexts. The review of scientific literature found that spice production in urban gardens contributes to food security and biodiversity, with successful experiences in high-value species like saffron. However, gaps persist in systematically integrating spices under sustainability criteria and in applied research on less conventional species. The study concludes that promoting sustainable urban spice gardens is a strategic tool for improving urban quality of life and recommends strengthening technical training and interdisciplinary research.
DIYFood sovereignty & justiceBiodiversityFood educationA comprehensive review of urban agriculture in a changing climate: Technological innovations and policy frameworks
2025Peng Gao, Shuochen Xiao, Fara Diva Mustapa · Climate Risk Management · Global
This comprehensive review synthesized research on urban and peri-urban agriculture (UPA) globally, specifically within the context of its advantages, challenges, and climate change mitigation and adaptation efforts, including technological innovations and policy frameworks. The review demonstrated UPA’s ability to advance social interactions, improve urban microclimates, mitigate the urban heat island phenomenon, and provide essential ecosystem services. However, UPA is limited by scarce land resources and soil contamination, along with water management challenges and regulatory frameworks.
Contamination & food safetyClimate changePolicyFood sovereignty & justiceDigital agricultureFAZENDAS VERTICAIS NA SEMIPERIFERIA DO CAPITALISMO
2025Claudia Rochael Oliveira · Terra Livre · Global
This article argues that while vertical farms (VFs) are often presented as indispensable for sustainable cities, their purported sustainability is difficult to achieve without structural changes to reduce social inequalities. Critiques of urban agriculture, including VFs, point to their contribution to gentrification, racialization of space, and vulnerability to real estate capital, indicating a critical finding regarding equity. The article advocates for VFs to be appropriated by social movements to foster critical stances against conventional agriculture and catalyze urban utopias.
Equity & displacementFood sovereignty & justicePolicyCommunityEconomicsUse of climate smart agriculture technologies in West Africa peri-urban Sahel in Niger
2025Tinawaen Tambol, Emmanuel Kanchebe Derbile, Moussa Soulé · Scientific Reports · Niger
This study investigated peri-urban farming systems in West African Sahel cities. A mixed-method research design, including field and household surveys of 142 peri-urban smallholder farmers, was employed. Results showed that biopesticides/crop and pest management were the most used Climate-Smart Agriculture Technologies (CSAT) in dry-season farming (p = .002). Other technologies included fertilizer micro-dose, organic manure and compost application, flood-tolerant improved varieties, and green energy-based irrigation.
Peri-urban agricultureClimate changeDigital agricultureCompostHORTAS DOMÉSTICAS: BENEFÍCIOS, DESAFIOS E MOTIVAÇÃO NO CULTIVO URBANO EM DOM PEDRITO/RS
2025Lucas Velasques, Janaína Wohlenberg, Osmar Manoel Nunes, D. Friedrich, Norton Víctor Sampaio · Revista Científica Agropampa · Brazil (Dom Pedrito/RS)
This field study, involving 20 residents of Dom Pedrito/RS, Brazil, who practice home gardening, aimed to identify motivational factors, difficulties, and benefits. The main difficulties reported were the time required for cultivation and the presence of pests and insects. While benefits included consuming healthy food, health improvements, and supermarket savings, the significant challenges of time commitment and pest management indicate limitations to the widespread positive impact of home gardening.
Limited or null effectDIYCommunityHealthOrganic cycleIdentification of the pollution sources and hidden clustering patterns for potentially toxic elements in typical peri-urban agricultural soils in southern China
2025Haofan Xu, Peng Hu, Hailong Wang, Peter Croot, Zhiwen Li, Cheng Li, Shaowen Xie, Hongyi Zhou, Chaosheng Zhang · Environmental Pollution · China
This study in Gaoming county, China, integrated PMF and K-means clustering to identify sources and contamination patterns of 8 potentially toxic elements (PTEs) in peri-urban agricultural soils. Average concentrations of PTEs were reported, with PMF identifying geogenic, industrial/traffic-related, and agricultural sources. The highest PTE concentrations were found in urbanized zones, confirming significant human impact and underscoring the dual influences of agriculture and urbanization on PTE contamination.
Contamination & food safetyPeri-urban agricultureHealthUrbanAgri: a transfer learning-based plant stress identification framework for sustainable smart urban growth
2025Upinder Kaur, M. Kaur, Aparna Kumari, Deepika Shukla, Rajan Datt, Mehar Chand · Frontiers in Sustainable Cities · Global
This paper proposes a deep learning model, UrbanAgri, integrating ResNet101 and the Sparrow Search Optimization (SSO) algorithm, to identify plant stress in urban agriculture environments. Trained on a heterogeneous dataset of urban crop images, the model achieved an F1-score of 98.9 and ROC-AUC of 0.989, outperforming traditional approaches. This framework aims to reduce crop waste and promote sustainable urban agriculture by accurately detecting biotic and abiotic stress factors.
Digital agricultureClimate changeField diagnosis of farmers’ adaptation challenges to climate change in the agricultural urban landscapes
2025Henry Mensah · City and Environment Interactions · Ghana (Kumasi)
This study investigated adaptation practices and challenges among 85 urban farmers across three locations in Kumasi, Ghana. Farmers employed strategies like planting local crop varieties, expanding farms, and relocating. However, these strategies are hindered by institutional and technological limitations, financial constraints, lack of climate information, and delays in extension support, indicating significant governance challenges.
Governance failureClimate changePolicyEconomicsUrban–rural linkageThe New Urbanism in New York City: A Case Study Comparing Battery Park City and Alphabet City
2025Lena Farley · Scholarship @ Claremont (The Claremont Colleges) · United States (New York City)
This thesis compares Battery Park City and Alphabet City in Manhattan, examining how they embody New Urbanist principles despite different planning approaches. While both neighborhoods show core New Urbanist characteristics, the research raises critical questions regarding community engagement in master-planned developments and the mitigation of gentrification in evolving urban landscapes.
Equity & displacementCommunityPolicyUtvikling og institusjonalisering av offentlig politikk og planlegging for urbant landbruk
2025Inger‐Lise Saglie · · Norway
This chapter presents the development of public policies and the main actors in urban agriculture in three Norwegian cities: Oslo, Bergen, and Trondheim. While showing common traits in institutionalization, differences exist in the role of voluntary groups, bottom-up versus top-down processes, networking, relationship to peri-urban agriculture, and implementation in plans. Oslo's approach is politically driven with traditional participatory methods, developing urban agriculture as a social activity and professional food production. In Bergen, the voluntary sector actively co-creates policy and runs a competence center. Trondheim's policy is co-produced annually with growers based on their experiences, with a strong connection to professional agriculture, and has consciously chosen not to develop specific strategies for urban agriculture.
PolicyCommunityPeri-urban agricultureWOMEN’S INVOLVEMENT IN URBAN FARMING: AN ANALYSIS OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIOECONOMIC IMPLICATIONS IN TASIKMALAYA, INDONESIA
2025Universitas Perjuangan, Ristina Siti Sundari, Lies Sulistyowati, Universitas Padjadjaran, Trisna Insan Noor, Universitas Padjadjaran, Iwan Setiawan, Universitas Padjadjaran, Farhan Ahmad, Universitas Padjadjaran, RAFIF NAUFAL ASSADEL TARIGAN, Universitas Siliwangi · Journal of Sustainability Science and Management · Indonesia (Tasikmalaya)
This study, conducted from February to December 2021, investigated women's implementation of urban agriculture in Tasikmalaya, Indonesia, involving 250 participants from 136 urban farming collectives. Despite 100% institutional support, urban farming faced significant challenges in market access, resource allocation, and regulatory frameworks. The findings highlighted the importance of urban farming for empowering women, reducing poverty, and promoting environmental sustainability.
Economic viabilityCommunityEconomicsPolicyFood sovereignty & justice